Operations Director — Waste & Recycling

Ciwmjobs; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciwmjobs is seeking an ambitious Operations Director to lead the day-to-day performance of a growing UK waste and recycling business in the Midlands region. You will drive fleet operations, route optimisation, and compliance while shaping board-level governance and growth strategy.

The role requires 5–10+ years in operational leadership within waste/ recycling, strong P&L skills, and hands-on leadership from yard to board. A competitive salary and bonus are offered.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of relevant operational leadership experience.
• COTC / WAMITAB, Transport Manager CPC and NEBOSH.
• Proven experience managing collections, fleet and disposal routes.
• Strong P&L, route profitability, margin and supplier negotiation skills.
• A hands-on, visible leadership style with credibility from the yard to the Board.

Responsibilities

• Operations & Fleet: Lead collections, route optimisation, driver scheduling, fleet utilisation and transport compliance.
• Tipping & Offtake: Manage MRF, EfW and processor relationships, gate fees, contracts and disposal economics.
• Compliance: Own EA, Duty of Care, WTN, H&S, Fire Prevention and permit compliance.
• EBITDA & Cost Control: Improve route profitability, margins and fleet efficiency while controlling overheads.
• Customers: Support the commercial team in winning and retaining high-volume industrial accounts.

Skills

Operational leadership

P&L management

Route profitability

Supplier negotiation

Hands-on leadership

Education

COTC / WAMITAB

Transport Manager CPC

NEBOSH

Job description

Operations Director — Waste & RecyclingWe are seeking an ambitious, commercially driven Operations Director to lead the operational performance of a growing UK waste and recycling business. You will take ownership of day-to-day operations while progressively assuming wider responsibility for board governance, stakeholder management, banking relationships and M&A integration.

Salary : £70-80k plus bonus Location – Northamptonshire/Cambridgeshire

YOU MAY HAVE WORKED IN: Biomass, Wood Recycling, Scrap Metal, Trade Waste, Construction Waste, Demolition Waste, Aggregates Recycling, Quarrying, Glass Recycling. Plastics Recycling, MRF, MBT, Metal Recycling, Mechanical Biological Treatment, Materials Recovery Facility

In a position such as: Operations Director, Head of Operations, Regional Operations Manager, General Manager, Operations Manager, Transport Manager, Fleet Operations Manager, Waste Operations Manager, Regional Operations Director, Logistics Director, Transport Operations Director, General Manager – Waste, General Manager – Recycling, Waste & Recycling Operations Manager, Depot Manager, Area Operations Manager, Commercial Operations Manager, Group Operations Manager, Senior Operations Manager

Ideally, you will be an experienced Head of Operations, Regional Operations Manager, COO, General Manager or Operations Director within waste, recycling, transport, logistics or skip hire.

Key Responsibilities

• Operations & Fleet: Lead collections, route optimisation, driver scheduling, fleet utilisation, maintenance and transport compliance.
• Tipping & Offtake: Manage MRF, EfW and processor relationships, gate fees, contracts and disposal economics.
• Compliance: Own EA, Duty of Care, WTN, H&S, Fire Prevention and permit compliance.
• EBITDA & Cost Control: Improve route profitability, margins and fleet efficiency while controlling overheads.
• Customers: Support the commercial team in winning and retaining high-volume industrial accounts.

We are looking for:

• 5–10+ years' relevant operational leadership experience
• COTC / WAMITAB, Transport Manager CPC and NEBOSH
• Proven experience managing collections, fleet and disposal routes
• Strong P&L, route profitability, margin and supplier negotiation skills
• A hands-on, visible leadership style with credibility from the yard to the Board